Human Rights Day - 21 March 2017

THE YEAR OF OLIVER TAMBO: UNITY IN ACTION IN ADVANCING HUMAN RIGHTS

Human Rights Day is commemorated annually on 21 March to remind South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in South Africa.This national day is both a stark reminder of the tragic Sharpeville massacre and a celebration of South Africa’s unique Constitution, which gives equal rights to all.

Mr Oliver Tambo was committed to advancing human rights and fought against injustice and inequality in the courtrooms of South Africa. He would have been 100 years old this year. He was teacher of physics and mathematics at his alma mater. Former students taught by him recalled his engaging style of teaching and consider him an outstanding teacher. On completion of his law degree, he and the late President Nelson Mandela together opened the Mandela and Tambo law firm in 1952. It was the only all black African law firm in the country at the time.

The commemoration of Human Rights Day provides the country with an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in the promotion and protection of human rights. The Constitution is the ultimate protector of our Human Rights, which were previously denied to the majority of our people under Apartheid. South Africans commemorate Human Rights Day to reinforce our commitment to the Bill of Rights as enshrined in our Constitution.

NAPTOSA has served education since 1904, as a professional home for educators. NAPTOSA prides itself with its diverse membership, demonstrating commitment to the promotion of human rights and social cohesion. NAPTOSA rejects all forms of discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance towards the minority communities.

Human Rights Day is dedicated to the promotion of human rights by engaging in activities that promote tolerance, equality and social cohesion in our schools and communities. Whether we are at the work place, within communities, at schools, or with our families, we all need to demonstrate the kind of responsibility that we would like to see in our country’s future. South Africans are called upon to combat, racial & gender discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerances.

NAPTOSA calls on its members to celebrate Human Rights Day with the dignity that is enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa. Happy Human Rights Day

Why do we remember The Sharpeville Massacre?On Monday, 21 March 1960 police opened fire, without order, on a crowd that had gathered at the Sharpeville police station to protest pass laws, stipulations that required Africans to carry “pass” books and produce them for law enforcement officials on request; 69 unarmed people were killed and another 180 were injured. Many others were killed in other parts of the country.

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